optimus

Quad-core smartphone shootout

Until now, smartphones with quad-core processors used to be just a twinkle in the eye of wistful Android addicts and gadget gurus. Either that or they remained exotic pieces of futuristic hardware reserved for foreigners. Quad-core handsets are now starting to arrive in force. The question is: which device packs the biggest CPU wallop? This chart lays it all out with deeper analysis below.

Phone HTC One X+ LG Nexus 4 LG Optimus G HTC Droid DNA Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Processor 1.7GHz quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon … Read more

Cricket offers first 4G LTE phone, LG Optimus Regard

While Cricket's 4G LTE network continues to (glacially) roll out, the carrier is offering its first LTE device today on its site. Known as the LG Optimus Regard, the handset is equipped with a 1.2Ghz processor, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and a 3.5-inch HVGA display made from Corning Gorilla Glass.

It also has a VGA front-facing camera and a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera that's capable of shooting 1080p video.

Powering the phone is a 1,700mAh battery, which reportedly delivers 5.4 hours of talk time.

In addition, since it features LG's Optimus 3.… Read more

For holidays, T-Mobile goes big on Android and Windows Phone 8

Hurricane Sandy forced T-Mobile to cancel a Holiday Showcase event planned for New York City today, but the storm didn't prevent the carrier from announcing its 2012 product lineup for the holiday season. The iPhone is absent, of course, but T-Mobile will deliver a strong lineup of Android and Windows Phone 8 tablets and smartphones. As you'd expect from the carrier, some devices, like the LG Optimus L9 and Nokia Lumia 810, are decidedly midrange. Yet, other handsets, like the HTC Windows Phone 8X and new LG Nexus 5 are top of the line.

Here's the skinny … Read more

Nexus 4 phone with Android 4.2 confirmed by Google, LG

Google and LG confirmed today the long leaked Nexus 4 smartphone, which will run on Android 4.2.

The Nexus 4 marks the first Nexus device built by LG, with Google looking to expand its partnerships and keep some of its partners thriving in the brutally competitive smartphone business.

"This is the first time we collaborated with LG to build a Nexus device," Andy Rubin, who runs Android at Google, said in a statement. "They brought an extraordinary amount of talent to the project, and the result is a feature-packed device that feels great in your hand … Read more

Boost Mobile says ciao to the midrange LG Venice

Boost announced today that it has begun offering the LG Venice, a variant of the LG Optimus L7 and U.S. Cellular's LG Splendor, for $219.99.

The handset has a 4.3-inch screen and runs on the Android 4.0 platform.

Its 5-megapixel rear-facing camera is capable of shooting 720p HD video and comes with an LED flash. A VGA front-facing camera is also included.

As a Boost device, users will get access to Boost Mobile ID, which allows users to customize their phones with preselected apps and widgets, depending on what ID package they choose.

The Venice … Read more

LG Electronics reports Q3 profit on handset earnings

LG Electronics said today it swung a third-quarter profit based largely on the success of its once-ailing handset division.

South Korean electronics maker posted a net profit of 157.1 billion won ($138.5 million) for the three months ended September 30, a dramatic recovery from the loss of 413.9 billion won ($366 million) it recorded in the year-ago period. However, third-quarter revenue fell 4 percent to 12.38 trillion won ($10.93 billion) due to a decline in demand for feature phones.

LG's mobile division recorded a third-quarter profit of 22 billion won ($19.4 million), compared … Read more

Sprint to sell LG Optimus G for $199.99 starting November 11

Right after AT&T said that it will begin selling the LG Optimus G on November 2 for $199.99, Sprint announced that it too will be selling the LG flagship phone for the same price, starting November 11.

In addition, users can pre-order the 4G LTE device starting November 1.

While both carrier models sport a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core CPU and a 4.7-inch True HD IPS display, Sprint boosted the handset's camera from 8 megapixels, which is what the AT&T version has, to 13 megapixels.

It will also have a couple of … Read more

LG details Jelly Bean upgrade timeline

Though the LG Optimus G is set to arrive at AT&T stores on November 2 (and later to Sprint), LG isn't still hedging on when it will get an Android 4.1 Jelly Bean upgrade.

Yet, for the Optimus G's international brethren, LG is being more forthcoming. A press release (translated) on LG's Web site today detailed the expected time frame for an Android 4.1 update for a select few Optimus models.

Things get started in November with the Optimus LTE II, followed in December by the international Optimus G. Then, the first quarter … Read more

AT&T's LG Optimus G available November 2 for $199.99

AT&T announced today that it will be offering the quad-core LG Optimus G starting November 2 for $199.99 after a two-year carrier agreement. Preorders for the 4G LTE device begin tomorrow.

We had a chance to review the device recently, and we have to admit, this device is fast. Its zippy quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU make it a snap to handle, and its 4.7-inch screen is gorgeous. Pictures and videos appeared crisp and bright, and gameplay was vivid and speedy.

The phone did have a few missteps, however. AT&T's Optimus G … Read more